Unveiling the Secrets: Meet the Mastermind Behind Twisted Metal's Epic Costumes

Summary

Twisted Metal's live-action adaptation stays faithful to the original game franchise while adding heart and humor to the series.

Liz Vastola, a meticulous costume designer, skillfully crafted outfits for both timeless and modern characters, ensuring authenticity in the real world.

The series effectively blends the vibrant and surreal nature of the games with compelling storytelling, resulting in a visually vibrant and dystopian realm.

Warning: The following contains SPOILERS for Twisted Metal.

Twisted Metal has made its thrilling transition from video game to live action, delivering an unexpected blend of heart and humor alongside the franchise's trademark chaos. Created by Michael Jonathan Smith and with executive producers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, Twisted Metal stays true to its origins as a PlayStation game franchise while also evolving its universe. The show features Anthony Mackie as John Doe, Stephanie Beatriz as Quiet, Thomas Haden Church as Agent Stone, and Samoa Joe and Will Arnett as Sweet Tooth.

The Twisted Metal games are renowned for their extravagant characters, and great effort was made to not only portray these characters effectively in the series, but also to seamlessly integrate them into the real world. In order to achieve this, costume designer Liz Vastola was brought on board, expertly crafting outfits for both the iconic and newly introduced characters. Vastola's experience in transforming characters from one medium to another is evident, having previously worked on Netflix's Daredevil and Jessica Jones.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Liz Vastola discussed her work on Sweet Tooth, as well as her desires for involvement in a potential second season of Twisted Metal and more.

Note: This interview was conducted during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and the show covered here would not exist without the work of writers and actors in both unions.

Liz Vastola on Twisted Metal

Screen Rant: Did you have any knowledge of Twisted Metal and before you got the project, and if not, was there anything that you did to prepare?

Liz Vastola, an elder millennial who grew up in the '80s and '90s, is a passionate gamer. Although she was aware of Twisted Metal, she never had the opportunity to play it as a child. Having always been interested in video game design and costumes, Liz was thrilled to be involved in this project. The series intrigued her with its intriguing characters and their larger-than-life personas.

Knowing that Twisted Metal has a dedicated fan base, Liz and the team conducted comprehensive online research to explore the different versions of the in-game characters. As they brought the series to life on screen, they took inspiration from the games while also adding their own unique elements and occasionally deviating from the original source material. During their early discussions, they carefully considered which characters to faithfully represent visually and which ones could benefit from a slight creative departure. This served as the foundation for their creative journey.

Have you had previous experience with adapting video game characters, considering your work on Netflix's Daredevil and Jessica Jones? Is there a difference between adapting a video game character and a comic character?

Liz Vastola: Yes, there is a difference. A comic book character is originally created in a two-dimensional form and is considered a work of art in its own right with its own set of limitations. When you read about a character that exists in two dimensions, you have to imagine how a real-life, three-dimensional body would function in that costume. You must fill in the missing elements and account for the different physics of a three-dimensional space.

In video game costume design, there has been a demand from fans for greater realism in how costumes function on the body, including with the latest Unreal Engine. When looking at games like Horizon Zero Dawn and The Last of Us, the way in which costumes are portrayed on the human body is significantly different. However, when translating these references into the realm of film and television, the most crucial aspect to consider is the cast, the human body, the characterization, and the actor. Conversely, in video game costume design, I would argue that the environment and how the costume interacts with it is one of the most vital elements.

I am particularly interested in Sweet Tooth and find him to be incredibly captivating. In the show, he seems even more mentally unstable than in the games. His appearance is more disheveled, with a messed up mask and distinct hairstyle. I am curious to know the inspiration behind these choices. Was it a matter of placing him in a real-world context and envisioning who he might truly be?

Liz Vastola: Portraying this character, who is both wildly unpredictable and deeply focused, and immersing him in a realistic setting, is a challenging task. We need to believe that he truly resides in this casino and has occupied it for two decades. A significant aspect of the show's costume design revolves around the question, "Who has the means to clean their attire?" and "Who simply doesn't care about laundering their clothes?" I believe that Sweet Tooth's dirtiness, grime, and overall worn-out appearance serve to anchor him in our world and illustrate his immediate priorities.

There is an abundance of action in this series. How many copies of everything were necessary?

Liz Vastola: Quite a number! Sweet Tooth is unique due to Samoa Joe being an incredible wrestler, and he performed many of his own stunts because it is part of his persona. We needed to strike a balance between ensuring his safety and involving professionals in film and television stunts who have the requisite experience. Additionally, we had to consider that his costume primarily consists of being shirtless, meaning every aspect of his physique contributes to the character's appearance, making it more challenging to utilize a stand-in.

Not only did we rely on stunt doubles for this show, but we also enlisted the help of skilled driving doubles. We had a number of professional drivers who were capable of performing various driving stunts. This meant that multiple filming units could be in action simultaneously, with different individuals operating different iterations of the car. To ensure consistency, each person was fully dressed in costume from head to toe. We had a significant number of costume copies, particularly for the characters who found themselves behind the wheel. Managing the driving doubles proved to be quite a challenge.

One remarkable aspect of the show is how it successfully captures the vibrant and immersive world of the video games while still evoking our emotions through a gripping storyline. Was it difficult to strike a balance between making the characters stand out like video game avatars and creating an environment that feels authentic and relatable?

Liz Vastola: Yes, early on in the design process, Michael Jonathan and the rest of the team emphasized that this post-apocalyptic world would not be a drab and desolate one like Mad Max. We wanted it to be bright, colorful, and visually captivating, similar to the vibrant and exciting nature of video games. This film is meant to be humorous and fun, with a bombastic atmosphere.

To achieve this, we made sure that the costumes and ensembles felt believable and connected to the world. It was crucial to establish the origins of these clothes and avoid the feeling that everyone in this world was a skilled tailor making their own rubber suits. We didn't want it to seem like everyone randomly chose earth tones like brown as their fashion statement. Instead, we aimed to create a sense of reality by acknowledging the limitations of a post-apocalyptic setting. Some characters would showcase their creativity in their outfits, while others would simply make do with what they could find.

In this world where people are isolated in their own communities, the possession of cars, gas, and the ability to maintain their vehicles became a significant measure of status. Therefore, it became important for individuals to wear something that represents their identity and immediately showcases their strength. We took a different approach with Bloody Mary's costume. Considering her role as a jilted bridesmaid in the game, we pondered what she would wear to express herself as her version of a milkman - something eerie, unsettling yet intriguing, while still maintaining a feminine and rugged look. This aspect was at the forefront of our minds - how these individuals would want to reveal their identity in a world where they had limited means to do so. Since some of these people are nomadic and frequently travel, it's essential for them to convey who they are and what they stand for through their attire.

Did you have a favorite character to design a look for, or perhaps someone who presented the most chall enges?

Liz Vastola enjoyed working on all the characters in season 1 as they were unique and presented different challenges. However, she found the process of creating Dollface particularly enjoyable, though it did take some time to perfect. While they wanted to incorporate the mask into the character, they also wanted to put their own spin on it rather than being completely faithful to the original design. Overall, Liz found the experience of developing this character and the entire group to be truly satisfying. Now, looking ahead to season 2, Liz wonders if there is any specific character she would love to work on.

Liz Vastola: Exploring Calypso further would be truly amazing. I thoroughly enjoy delving into the realm of perfectly fitted outfits and incorporating that essence into this context. It would bring a breath of fresh air. Moreover, everyone seems to be intrigued by the thought of bringing Axel to life and envisioning what that would entail. I am genuinely curious to discover what the potential outcome would be.

About Twisted Metal

In the treacherous post-apocalyptic wasteland, John Doe emerges as an enigmatic figure with a silver tongue and a void of forgotten memories. He yearns for a brighter tomorrow, fueling his determination to embark on an audacious expedition. Tasked with delivering an enigmatic parcel, he becomes an indomitable force, confronting a multitude of perils in his relentless pursuit of triumphant completion.

Check out our other Twisted Metal interviews here:

Stephanie Beatriz

Thomas Haden Church

Samoa Joe (aka Joe Seanoa)

Anthony Mackie

New episodes of Twisted Metal release on Thursdays on Peacock.